We stayed at the Sebel on Caves Road. It's an Aparthotel and backs onto the beach with tennis courts, bar/restaurant, outdoor and indoor pool. The apartments sleep up to 8. We stayed there when my parents were over and they loved it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Adventure World has s few more rides [emoji1] and there's a new water park open. We've not been yet so I can't give you the details other than I think it's only open in the school holidays Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't help with school's nor but loads of kids move schools in Year 7 and lots from public to private so I think she'd be fine. It's more about choosing the right school for your daughter Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lots of kids in Secret Harbour (my suburb) are at private schools. Are you looking at senior or primary? I'll give you a bit of info on the ones most of the kids go to. Feel free to ask for more! Frederick Irwin Anglican School (Meadow Springs) - kindy to Yr12, outstanding school - my 3 kids go there. Academic, musical, good drama Dept, fantastic academic results, awesome heads, strict but kids know the boundaries Kolbe Catholic (Rockingham) - Yr7-Yr12. kids feed in from surrounding catholic primaries like St Bernadette's in Port Kennedy, Star of the Sea on Rockingham etc - another outstanding school. I've heard nothing but good reports but priority given to Catholics, fantastic academic results Mandurah Catholic College MCC (Greenfields, Mandurah) Yr7-12, lots of kids go here from Yr7, big on sport and lots of ATAR options, Kids feed in from surrounding Catholic primaries, again priority given to Catholics Tranby College (Baldivis) - kindy to Yr12 - Excellent school, Apple school, fees are higher but includes all stationary etc. have friends kids here and are very happy Mandurah Baptist College (Lakelands) - good school, I've heard a few mixed reports of kids leaving but then heard not all happy where they moved to. Other friends have recently moved their kids there from Comet Bay Senior and they love MBC There's a new school opened in Baldivis, a catholic school which is going from kindy to eventually Yr12. Mother Teresa . Worth a look! Living Waters Lutheran College (Warnbro) kindy to Yr12 - smaller school, lots leave after primary, nephew goes there and is happy at the school, smaller, nurturing, Maybe good for some kids but limited when coming to take options in yr 10. Their primary in Halls Head has just been purchased by Frederick Irwin so they seem to be struggling South coast Baptist (Waikiki) - soccer Scholarships, friends kids there are Happy but that seems the main draw. There are direct Transperth school buses to Frederick Irwin from Secrets, and the kids can also get a bus to MCC, MBC and Kolbe. transperth buses are only $0.60 per journey for kids with a Smartrider. Tranby has a private bus from Secrets as does Peter Carnley. If it were my choice I'd be looking at Frederick Irwin, Kolbe and MCC first [emoji4] I hope that helps EDIT: just realised you may already be here so you'll have to let us know what you decided! Or give me a shout if you want to chat over coffee [emoji477]️ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We've just become eligible for citizenship and I want to get my application in before the Turnbull government vote or the bill is thrown out as there's likely to be a influx of applications. I'm having trouble online and can't continue with my application past page 6. Anyone else had this problem? The system is saying I'm not eligible but it hasn't asked me pertinent questions like visa details and date of arrival etc. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Debs
We're in Secrets and love it. Such a friendly suburb and very family orientated! We've been here 3 years and I think we're the same age! I have lots of friends here including lots I met through this forum so I would always be up for a glass of wine or two! [emoji6]
Lou
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It is a lot to take in and TBH I'd focus on getting your visa then planning your arrival with a good idea of which areas and schools you want to explore. Keep an open mind! When we emigrated a friend of mine on here thought they'd like this area and decided immediately it wasn't busy enough for them and decided to live in Fremantle. Good luck with your visa!
Lou
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Dan Murphys would be my first choice because of their fantastic wine selection but unfortunately we don't have one nearby YET! I can't wait till the new one opens next year!
Lou
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I love it! I've been to the one in Mandurah and Rockingham and I can't wait till the one in my suburb opens. I can honestly say I'm saving $100 a week on my shop, which I used to do in Coles, and probably more than the one I used to do in Woolies...and I usually indulge in their special buys each week! I don't care for brands and always go for the cheapest own brand so I find Aldi's own fantastic and excellent quality...we LOVE the Jaffa cakes and Caramel Bars! I've found the fresh fruit and veg lasts really well. We've really enjoyed trying different things like the brioche burger buns and my kids love the chocolate brioche which reminds them of home! I can pack my own bags without being made to feel like a leper!
So Aldi gets the thumbs up from me! [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]
Lou
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We chose to live in Secret Harbour because of the schools. With a 10 and 14 year old I would look at schools first which will help to choose the area. Baldivis has reasonably good primary schools and a new senior school. However, the population is quite fluid, there are lots of FIFO families and the area is still growing with new primary schools opening. There's some really lovely parts though and the more established parts of the estate is more appealing.
Personally I wouldn't live in Waikiki, Port Kennedy or Rockingham unless you're sending your kids private mainly because of the school catchments, however, that's just my preference and what doesn't feel right for me may suit your family. If you didn't have children it wouldn't be such an issue. Generally though most parents in this area who can send their children private, particularly for senior school, will.
Comet Bay College, a co-ed non-fee paying school in Secret Harbour, is a Gifted and Talented school which means they offer an extended education programme for those children who pass the entrance exam. I think children who live in the school's catchment and attend the school also benefit from the experience of teaching staff, facilities etc etc. There are lots of families moving into the area so their children can attend the school.
My kids are at Frederick Irwin in Mandurah. It's a co-ed anglican private school. They love it! Some of the privates are difficult to get into but thy have a bigger intake in year 7 (aged 11/12) so you stand a better chance of getting them in for senior school. Lots of children from Baldivis and Secret Harbour attend privates in Rockingham and Mandurah. School fees range from about $3k to 8k per year. Off the top of my head there are the following:
Primaries:
Star of the Sea - Rockingham
Primary & Secondary:
Peter Carney - Baldivis
Tranby College - Baldivis
Living Waters Lutheran - Warnbro
Mandurah Baptist College - Lakelands, Mandurah
Frederick Irwin Anglican School - Meadow Springs, Mandurah
Secondary:
Mandurah Catholic College - Greenfields, Mandurah
Kolbe Catholic College - Rockingham
I'm sure there's a few more Catholic primaries I've missed...one in Port Kennedy and a new on in Baldivis but I can't recall their names.
There are more south of Mandurah and also north of Baldivis towards Kwinana.
Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. We've been here 2 1/2 years so so hopefully I can be of help.
Lou
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My daughter does 3 X 1 hour sessions a week; no early mornings. When she moves to the next squad it increases to 4- 5 x 1.5 hour sessions a week which is a big jump. My son is currently in that squad doing 5 sessions. He's trialling the next squad which move to 3 mornings a week but the same number of sessions. They also do an hour of gym work on a Saturday before training and 30 mins of stretching and foam roller etc before week day training.
All clubs are different though so it will depend on which one you join.

Hi @LouLouSkippy
You'll have received my messages but I thought I would also reply on here as there's often a lot of people in the background with the same questions.
Arena and West Coast produce fantastic swimmers. Both clubs are in the first division of WA premierships but there are lots of excellent swimming clubs in Western Australia and there's never one too far from you so I wouldn't limit where you're going to live based on a club [emoji1]
My daughter is also 9 and won silver at States for 100 free last year. This year she's been riddled with tonsillitis so has not made many State times...just the ones she swam last year at States! She'll still be in the 9 year olds for long course States in April whereas your daughter would fall into the 10 year olds. The kids obviously perform best at the long course (in April) or short course (end Sept) depending on when they are oldest for their age group.
We're members of Rockingham Stingrays and my eldest son who takes it the most seriously is in the top ten for many events this year. It's much harder when they get to 11/12 to medal there are so many more kids competing. We're based in Secret Harbour so really our choices are Rockingham Stingrays who train at the Aqua Jetty in Warnbro, or Peel, Mandurah or Kingsway all based in Mandurah/Pinjara.
If you're daughter loves swimming then you should also look at surf life saving club. It's very popular in Oz and they have competitions on the beach throughout the summer months (from Oct to Mar). It's a great way to meet people and we've enjoyed some fabulous trips away with friends from the club to attend country carnivals.
Good luck with your move. You must let me know when you arrive and we can perhaps catch up poolside at one of the kids swim meets!

West Coast and Arena are really good Cubs and are both here tonight at Premierships in A Division. Swimming is all inclusive so I don't think you need to worry whether she'll be good enough. My eldest is 11 and he trains 5 times a week for an hour and half and has just started with the next squad where they also do an hour in the gym.
If you have a look at myswimresults.com.au you can see the swimming times for kids in your daughters age group.
If I were you decide where you want to live and which school you want your children to go to and then look at clubs as they'll definitely be one in the area; swimming is so big here!
My eldest has also gotten into surf life saving and loves it! He's gunning for gold at States this year in the swim and iron man.
When do you arrive? Do you have a date yet?